JJP’s Favorite Classical Recordings of 2022

By John J. Puccio

You may remember that I don’t do “best-of” lists. “Best” suggests that I’ve sampled everything available, and even though I review a lot of music every year, I have not heard but a fraction of what’s out there. So I prefer to do a simple “favorites” list. Here are a few of the discs (listed alphabetically, to be fair) I heard in 2022 that I enjoyed for their performance and sound.

Anne Akiko Meyers: Shining Night
Music of Corelli, Bach, Paganini, and more. Anne Akiko Meyers, violin; Jason Vieaux, guitar; Fabio Bidini, piano. Avie AV2455.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/06/anne-akiko-meyers-shining-night-cd.html

Beethoven: Complete String Quartets, Volume 2
The Middle Quartets: Nos. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11. Dover Quartet. Cedille CDA 90000 206 (3-disc set).
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/01/beethoven-complete-string-quartets.html

Beethoven: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 3
Kristian Bezuidenhout, fortepiano; Pablo Heras-Casado, Freiburg Baroque Orchestra. Harmonia Mundi HMM902412.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/05/beethoven-piano-concertos-nos-1-3-cd.html

Beethoven Revolution: Symphonies Nos. 6-9
Jordi Savall, Le Concert des Nations. Alia Vox AVSA9946 (3-disc set).
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/04/beethoven-revolution-symphonies-nos-6-9.html

Concerti All’Arrabbiata
Music of Telemann, Platti, Vivaldi, and Geminiani. Gottfried von der Goltz, Freiburger Barockorchester. Aparte Music AP262.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/01/concerti-allarrabbiata-cd-review.html

Jesus Rodolfo: Remembering Russia
Music of Prokofiev, Rachmaninov, and Stravinsky. Jesus Rodolfo, viola; Min Young Kang, piano. Pentatone PTC-5186 287.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/02/jesus-rodolfo-remembering-russia-cd.html

La Barre: Pièces pour la Flûte Traversière avec la Basse Continue
The Opus Project. Navona Records NV6414.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/10/la-barre-pieces-pour-la-flute.html

Mahler: Symphony No. 4
Sabine Devielhe, soprano; Francois-Xavier Roth, Les Siecles. Harmonia Mundi HMM 905 905357.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/09/mahler-symphony-no-4-cd-review.html

Mahler: Symphony No. 5
David Bernard, Park Avenue Chamber Symphony. Recursive Classics RC5956731.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/11/mahler-symphony-no-5-cd-review.html

Mozart: Piano Concertos Nos. 9 & 18
Kristian Bezuidenhout, fortepiano; Gottfried von der Goltz, Freiburger Barockorchester. Harmonia Mundi HMM 902332.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/10/mozart-piano-concertos-nos-9-18-cd.html

Reflections: Scott Joplin Reconsidered
Lara Downes, piano, with guests. Rising Sun Music 616908742333.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/03/reflections-scott-joplin-reconsidered.html

Schubert Transfiguration: Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9
Symphony No. 8 “Unfinished”; Symphony No. 9 “The Great.” Jordi Savall, Le Concert des Nations. AliaVox.

To read the review, click here:

https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2023/01/schubert-transfiguration-symphonies-nos.html

Still: Summerland
Also, Violin Suite, Pastorela, American Suite. Zina Schiff, violin; Avlana Eisenberg, Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Naxos 8.559867.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/08/still-summerland-cd-review.html

Strauss, R.: The Happy Workshop
Also, Serenade, Op. 7. George Vosburgh, Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble. Reference Recordings FR-745.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/03/strauss-r-happy-workshop-cd-review.html

Telemann: Viola Concertos
Overtures-Fantasias. Antoine Tamestit, viola; Sabine Fehlandt, viola; Bernhard Forck, Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin. Harmonia Mundi HMM 902342.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/07/telemann-viola-concertos-cd-review.html

Violin Sonatas
Music by Freitas Branco, Ravel, Villa-Lobos. Bruno Monteiro, violin; Joao Paulo Santos, Piano. Et’cetera Records KTC 1750.
To read the review, click here:
https://classicalcandor.blogspot.com/2022/04/violin-sonatas-cd-review.html

JJP